The recently formed African Business Aviation Association (AfBAA, Booth No. 2516) announced at NBAA’12 the launch of new membership categories and a leadership group. “Our vision is to make sure business aviation is recognized as an asset to Africa,” said Tarek Ragheb, founder and chairman of AfBAA.

The association already has fully funded commitment from 18 founding members, including African and international businesses, and is now finalizing selection of the last two founding members. AfBAA has created a launch member category to complement the founding members. “We noted that a number of companies we would have welcomed as founding members were unable to apply originally for a variety of reasons,” said Ragheb. “As we value their input and potential support they can offer, AfBAA will now encourage them to apply for launch member status.” At a later date the organization will create regular and affiliate memberships for aviation companies that have an interest in operating in Africa.

AfBAA has also formed a leadership group, composed of leaders of the African business aviation community nominated by founding members. Ragheb will head the group, joined by Ivor Ichikowitz of South Africa’s Paramount Group, who will serve as vice chairman and treasurer. The leadership group will have four subcommittees, each headed by an elected chairperson. Rady Fahmy will oversee the association’s operations as AfBAA’s executive director, and Jack Olcott will remain in his advisory role supporting the organization’s development. “We are confident that the elected board and committee chairpersons reflect the complete spectrum of interests of the association,” said Fahmy.

Here at the NBAA show AfBAA plans to build new relationships and develop existing ones with U.S. companies that have interests in operating on the African continent. “We are keen to showcase AfBAA, the only Pan-African aviation association, as a well-funded, professional and active association with a genuine commitment to supporting the development of the future of business aviation in Africa,” said Ragheb.